"We estimate that there are now about 300 in the wild, including some that were bred in captivity and later released," Wang said, adding that the reserve has freed more than 100 reptiles since 2003.

In some years, the reserve released about 10 alligators, but this year the number is just six. "It depends on our ability to adapt certain areas and make them suitable so the alligators can live free from human disruption," Wang said.

"If we free more than the areas can sustain, given factors including sources of food, such as fish in natural water, the alligators' situation could get worse."

In 2009, Anhui's economic development resulted in the reserve being reduced to 18,565 hectares, and it now mainly covers Xuancheng and the neighboring city of Wuhu.

Practical problems

"Theoretically, a larger area would mean more alligators could find space in the wild, but on a practical level, it's very difficult. With a human population of 2.8 million in Xuancheng, it would be difficult to remove the residents and give the area over to the alligators," Wang said.

"There are still areas in the reserve that can be transformed to make room for wild alligators, but we need more time to make the adjustments."

According to the standard set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Chinese alligator will be classified as a critically endangered species until the number in the wild reaches 2,500.

"That means we still have a long way to go. However, if the reserve didn't exist, the alligators could have already disappeared from the face of the Earth," Wang said.

Contact the writer at zhulixin@chinadaily.com.cn